jones



July 6 1926. 1,591,556-

w. L. JONES SOAP cuwwme MACHINE Filed Nov. 15. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 6 1926. 1,591,556

W. L. JONES SOAP CUTTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 15. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q 30 l i if 3 7: i6 91/2: #4 a '2 71455.1 432 Y/' ;w;;;,r--; in: m. 70 K I I 1% 67 .2/

J9 420 we July 6 1926.

. 1,591,556 w; L. JONES SOAP CUTTING-MACHINE Filed Nov. 15. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 6 1926. 1,591,556

w. L. JONES SOAP CUTTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 15. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented July 6, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,591,556 PATENT OFFICE.

'WA'Lllllll; L. JONES, .01 "WEST SOMER'VILLE, MASSACI-IOSETTS, ASSI G-NOR TO LEVER BROTHERS COMPANY, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

SOA'B-CU'TTING MACHINE.

Application filed. November 15, 1924. Serial No. 750,038.

The invention relates to an. improvement in soap cutting machines.

in the production of milled soap, the soap is delivered as a continuous stream from the plodder. It is common practice at the present time tor the operative to cutol'l' from this stream of soap a bar oi? predetcrinined length which he places in ttront of the constantly reciprocating plunger by which the soap is pressed tlnrough the cutting devices of the soap cutting machine which cut up the length of soap into relatively short bars or cakes for hand and laundry use. The object of the present invention is to provide a soap cutting machine of this type with a mechanism which will operate automatically to perform the same operations (but in a more ellicicnt manner) now performed by the operative in cutting oil the requisite length of soap from the stream issuing from the plodder and placing it in tront or the plunger.

To this end the invention con sists in the improved soap cutting machine hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred form of the invention, Fig. 1 is a plan of the improved soap cutting machine, and of the nozzle of the plodder; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 22 oi. Fig. 1, looking in the direc tion of: the arrows; Fig, 3 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 3--3 o l l 2: Fig. 4t a side elevation ot the machine shown in Fig. 3, looking from the right; Fig. 5 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the trip mechanism and associated parts; Fig. 6 is a detail in plan oi" the movable knife (and associated parts) for cutting otl' bars of predetermined length from the stream of soap issuing from the plodder: and. Fig. 7 is a section taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

The mechanism of the present invention may be applied to and used in connection with any usual or preferred form of soap cutting machine. The milled soap to be cut up into small bars or cakes of the requisite size and shape issues a continuous stream 10 from the nozzle 11 of the plodder 12, the cm 'truction and operation at which is ta.-

miliar to those skilled in the art. The n'iochanism oi? the present invention operates to cut ed a predetermined length 14- lrom the continuous stream of soap issuing from the plodder and to deliver it in front 01 the constantly and regularly reciproca'u ing plunger 15 by which it is forced through the cutting devices which cut it up into rel atively small cakes.

the plunger 15 extends throughout the length of the machine and reciprocates on a table 16 supported by the frame work 17 ot the machine, the lower portions of which resting on the floor are not shown in the drawings. The plunger 15 is actuated from the motor 18, the connections between the motor and the plunger consisting ot a worm 19 mounted on the outer end of the motor shaft 520 and driving a worm gear 21 housed in the casing On one end of the shaft 24; of the worm gear 21 is a pinion 25 which meshes with and drives a gear 26 (Fig. 4;) mounted on a longitudinally arranged shaft 2'? which is journaled in, the :trame work of the machine. 011 each outer end of the shaft 2? is mounted a crank disc 28 connect ed by means of the connecting rod 29 with the lower end of the rocker arm 30. The npper lrec end of each rocker arm is pivotally connected by means of the link 31 with a rod 32 which is loosely received in the slot 33 which extends throughout the length of the plunger 15. The purpose of this lost motion between the rod 32 and the plunger will appear as the descrioti on proceeds. The relatively long bars or lengths of soap 1a which are cut oft from the stream of soap issuing from the ploclder by the mechanism ot the present invention and delivered to a position in trout off the plunger 15, are forced by the plunger through cutting devices consisting of a series of wires 35 and cutters 36 secured in a frame work generally indicated at 37 by which the long bars of soap are cut into short bars or cakes of the desired size and shape. The frame work 37 carrying the soap cutters is positioned beyond the limit ol the forward movement of the plunger 15 a distance equa to the thickness of two or three bars of soap This arrangement is a convenient one for permitting the operative to avoid improper cutting or other accidents before the plunger torces a bar through the cutters. By this arrangement it will he understood that only the length o'l soap immediately in front of the cutters will be forced through them by the Forward movement of the plunger, and that before this operation can take place two i or threeother lengthsof soap must he interposed between the plunger and the length of soap next to the cutters. The small bars or cakes emerging through the cutters are delivered onto a platform '38 from which they are remove'djby the operative. In their general features vthe parts described above are constructed and operate as usual in soap cutting machines.

The mechanism of'the present invention comprises a movable cutter or knife ll) for cutting the predetermined length of soap n'l'inedlength'of soap and also to deposit it in front ofthe iplunger The feed bar all is mounted to reciprocate on the upper sur face of a longitudi-nally a rraiiged guard or housi 42 open at its front side and under which the QJltrll'Qil' '15, is received at the limit :of 'its rearward movement. The

"reciprocating DIOVGIHQlltS are imparted to onrthe shaft which is journaled in the upperiyoke-hke end ofthe upright 59, which restsion the platform 53 supported hy the cross-pieces 54;, upon which platform the motorllS und the casing 721 are supported.

The shaft 51 is provided on-one end with a bevel gear 56 which meshes with and is driven 'by a hevelgear 5'? mounted or. no endofa shaft 58 journaled-in Flefipptllfiiltl of-the upright 59 supported my the platform *Onthe'aother end the she is ilittitl. a large-"bevelii 60 which n'ieshes with and is driven by a large *hevel gear- 612 mounted on-one end oi i i t he fecdhar l-1 is prevented from reihcuipla 01 gui'des which loosely engg ends of the fe d hai The guides '64- are angle-shaped piece's moimted on the housing; andhave an open fo'ri 'd side to permit the reciprocation of the feed bar.

The cntter i-O, with which'th'e feed her 11 cooperates We cut off the predetermined lei'igt-hof -soap from the soap stream 10, is a=fiat.vertiealliy arranger knife hlade cured sup rted d -wthehracket 6? (Fig: 2). In e it there I]'itt liiG-11O l .4 the 'kni eoar during itssliding movements while the knife 40 is operating to cut the soap and is returning to normal position, the ho'ttoni surface of the knife bar is engaged by the roller bearings (38, the forward end of the har is'ei k4 ed by the roller (59,and the rear end of the bar carries a roller which engages with a flange Ti rising from one side of the knife support 66. The knife bar is prevented from vertical displacement hy the roller 72 mounted on a boss T3 rising from the support 66. This arrangement of the knife bar is for the purpose of pern1iiting the knife, to engage with the soap stream issuing from the plodder, travel therewith (hiring the act of cutting off a length of soap, and to return l'o-nornial position after the soap has been cut. The means for retracting: the soap ha comprises a weight- 75 (Fig. connected by the iles;- ihle strip 76 with the pin 77 upon which the roller 70 is pivoted. The flexible st rip T6 Qasscsorer the pulley 78 mounted in the outer ends of the bracket 79 secured to the support 66. A screw 80, which takes against the freeend of the knife bar 65, determines the operative position of the knife it).

As the stream of soap 10 issues from the ploddcr 12 it passesover the rolls S2 11'1OU11L ed in a hathoii' oil in a hox-like structure 83 resting'on the extension 8d of the table to. The soap stream is guided laterally between the vertically arranged rolls 85 mounted on the extension From the guide rolls or) the soap stream is directed through the iii-shaped guideSG, open at its upper side. mounted to reciprocate laterally -in the head portion ST of the knife bar. F or this purpose the wallet of the guide-86 provided with two laterally extending pins 89 (Figs. and t) which are loosely received 'in the transverse holesQO in the head of the knife oar e5. The forward end'of the guide 80 'clos l "engages with the rear side of the knife in order that no soap may pack in he!wecnthecnd of'the guide Sons it reciprocatesaud the rear side of the knife. Moreor J, by providinp a close engagement be tween the lli l0 and the knife a more eli'cctire cutting action'is secured.

Whena 'predetermined length of soap has passed by thecutting; edge of the knife, the feed bar i1 is moved forward to carry the guide with it and 51)!655 the soap stream against the cutting edge of the knife. 1nasinuchas the soap 'eain continues to issue from the plodder during the cutting action, the kni to {20 and theparts connected with it, are carried forward with the soap stream. To eliminate friction hetween the front face of the feed bar i] and the side 92 of'the forwardly traveling guide 86, the left hand end of the 1 -t 'all'of the feed har l-1 isprorid d wil series of vertically arranged rolls Silagamst which the outside of the wall as the guide. Stimoves forward with llll the knife when the latter engaged by the soap streain. A roller Elel pivoted on a pin extending laterally from the top edge oi. the wall 92 bears against the adjacent edge 01 the top surlace ol the slotted plate socured to the top of the left hand end of the feed hat -11. The plate 9: HEL'VQVS the purpose o1 returning the guide ill to its normal position upon the crunpleltiou ol the soap cut-ting operation. The rollers ill; carried by the upper surl'ace oi the wall 68 ot the guide 86 project upwardly through the slot in the plate and are engaged hy the outer edge 97 ot the plate 95. The rollers 96 eliminate 'lriction as the knife har ('35 returns to normal position while the feed her 11 is retrzurting the guide Elli hy the engegen'iei'it oil: the plate 95 with the rollers 96.

The length of soap 14!: (Fig. 'l) to he cut from the soap stream 10 is determined by tliie engagement of the end 98 ot the soap strea-n'i. with the wheel fill) oi the trip llllttllllh nisin which controlsthe means for actuating the feed liar 11.; The wheel 95) is carried. on the lower tree end oil an arm 100 mounted on the outer end oil? a shaft 102 pivoted in the hearings 103 and lll-il oi the horizontal arm of the bracket 105 the base 106 of which is :uljustahly secured to the table 16. The lower end oi. the arm 100 yieldingly hold in the position shown in Figs.2 and 5 by means of the torsion spring 101', one end o'l which fixed in the hearing 1023 and the other endot which is connected with the outer 011(101? the shaft 102.

After the end 98 of the soap stream strikes the wheel 99 and o 'ieratcs the trip mechanisn'i to cause the feed her 11 to he advanced to deposit the soap length 111 in front oi? the plm'iger 15, the spring 107 returns the arm 100 and wheel lll) to normal position in the path of travel oil? the soap stream, The (merativeposition ol the wheel 99 may he adjusted hy means oi the set screw 11'? which is threaded in a hose 118 projecting from the horizontal arin oi the bracket 105, the tree end 01 the screw 117' hearing against the latch 109 secured to and projecting downwardly from the shaft 102, as shown in Fig.6.

l Vhen the arm 100 and shaft 102 are oseillated hy the engagement of the wheel ill) by the end 98 ol. the soap stronn'i, the latch 109 engages with a dog 110 secured to the rod 111, the right hand end of which passes loosely through a hlocl; 112, and the left hand end o'l which pivotally connected with the upper arm 11?; o'lia hell crank lever 1141- pivoted at on the underside ol the tahle 16. The lower arin 119 of the hell crank 114; is provided at its extremity with a heel; 120 adapted to he engaged by a corresponding hook-like part 121 01 a clutch inechanism122i The construction of this clutch mechanism is such that when the hook Leo is disengaged tronr thepart 121 01? the clutch, the gear 5'? is operately ennunwted with the coin-itautly driven part oi the shaitt till upon which the near 11 is inounterh therehy driving the coi'inectcal with it to actuate the feed har all. llhen the hool: 1.21) 's held in the path oil to tatio'n oi the part 12h, the gear at 's disroniuadcd 'l roni the actire purl oil the shalt as and lhe parts driven hy the gear 13'? are ln'ought to a stop. The contraction spring 12% one end of which is connected with the upper end of the arm 117-3 a! [(1 the other end oli' which is eonnceted with a pin 1251 rising from the housingfilil, serves to yicldingly hold the hook 120 in the path of travel of the part 12! ol the clutch mechanism. l i hen the latch 'illll ei'igages-i with the (log 110 to move the rod 111 to the right, the hell. era-11h 1 let. is lll'lll'lld in a, clockwise direction, therehy di" qjng the hook .121) from the part 1' ahou t the actuation ol? the feed tloe rotation ol the clutch n1eehanisin ciulsms one complete reciprocation of: the teed hart "lhe :l'eed har is actuated. to push the soap stream against the l nile or cutter 410 only when a n'edeterininod. length oil. soap has pasted hy the cutter. The spring 1241 is provided to return the hoot: 120 into the path of travel 01'' the part 121 of the clutch to stop the aetuation oil the feed her alter the latter has moved forward to cause the soap to he cut and deliver the hair just cut to a position to fall in tiront ol the plunger and has returned to normal, retracted position out of the path ol travel of the soap stream. l l hen the end of the soap strean'i. engages with the wheel 95) and moves it to the right, the parts connected with the wheel 99 are held in their moved position until the :lorward movement 01. the feed her disengztzges the cut bar of soap from the wheel 99. In order to disengage the dog 110 ilron'i the latch 10$), when the latter has heen moved to and is held in its right hand position, to Dellllll; the swing 12 1 to move the hook 120 into the path oi? the part 1121 oil the clutch to prevent a second forward.

inoven'ient oi? the teed her until the proper amount of soap has passed hy the cutter, a release nieiduinisui tor the dog 110 is prw vided, consisting oil an arm 127 pivoted on the upright 125% (Fig 5). One end oi? the arm 127 projects over the upper si'irilace o'l the connecting rod 4. 1 while the latter is in its pool 'on of rest, which is about the middle Of its vertical oscillation, as is understood by viewing 4t. The other end. 01 the arm 1.27 is connected hy the wire 129 with the hloeh 112 through which the outer end 01 the rod 111 loosely passes. l he hloclc 112 is mounted to slide vertically in the upper hi'l u'reeted end oil the bracket 130 rising from the table 16. A spring 132 in car he and the parts ll ll connecting rod 14 terposed between .the top 132') of "the bracket 130 and the head 134 of the screw 135 threaded into the top of the block 112 serves to normally hold the right hand end of the rod 111 raised with the dog 110 in the path of oscillat on ofthe latch109 and the arm in pos on to be engaged by the when the latter rises during its forward movement caused by the retation tie crank pin 186 when the shaft is .actuatedf \Vhen the arm 12'? is engaged and oscillated by the connecting rod 44 the block 112 is pulled down, thereby freeing the dog 110 from engagement with position, the latch 109 depressing the dog 110 and the block 112, which are again raised ;by thespring 132 when the latch 109 passes ftopositionin front of the dog 110.

In case the-spring 124 should fail for any reason to return the hook 120 into the path of travel *of the part 121 before the latter has made one revolution, the arm 119 of the bell crank 114 is provided w-ith an offset detent '2LF1IL1158 (Fig. adapted to be engaged by the cam surface 139 of the clutch as the *latter rotates. The engagement of the cam surface 139 with thecnd of the detent arm 138 causes the bell crank 114 to be ro fated in a counter-clockwise direction and the hook 120 to be moved into the path of the part 121.

The plunger reciproca'tes constantly at a regular, determined speed. The rate of reciprocation of the feed bar 41 is determined by the'speed of the soap stream issuing from the plodder. This speed, as is well-known to those skilled in the art, varies from about it feet toifih feetper minute, de-

. pending upon the amount and consistency of the :ground soap contained (in the plodder. Heneenthe E.Ci; i'i'()02tlOTES'Of be feed bar and the rec'iprocations of the plunger will vary irregularly. When the feed bar is actuated to move forward to cooperate with the knife to sever a bar of soap of predetermined length from the soap stream and to push it forward into position to drop in front of the plunger 15, the :plunger may be at any poi in its Efmrwardo r rearwa rd. :1) un'einents. If the plunger has already started forward and has advanced far enough beyond the forward edge of the housing 42 so that the freshly severed bar of soap will drop on top of the plunger when the feed bar moves forward, the bar of soap will remain on the plunger until the plunger has completed its forward movement and has retracted within the iniusing 42, as shown in I), whereupon the bar of soap will fall in front of the plunger. lliis freshly severed bar of soap which is prevented from immediately falling in front of the plunger when it is pushed forward by the feed bar, because of the position of the plunger, does not interfere with the stream of soap coming from the p'lodder. (ill Th s is because the feed bar its rward movement to sever the pushes the severed bars beyond the vard of the housing in? and ag use a longitmlinully arranged guard rail 141 slidingly mounted at each end on the pins 142 projecting forwardly from the forward edge of the housing 42. The contractile springs 143 yieldingly hold the guard rail in its normal position spaced from the forward edge of the housing 42 substantially the width of the thickness of the bar of soap and permit the guard rail 14-1 to yield in case. of a jam. The freshly severed bar of soap is held between forward edge of the housing 42 and the guar rail 141 until 'the plunger 15 has been retracted within the housing. This ar 'angement and mode of operation removes the severed bar of soap from the path of travel of the soap stream when the rearward movement of the feed bar 41 pulls the guide 86 and new forward end of the soap stream from the position shown in Fig. 6 (which shows the positions of the parts upon the completion of the cutting operation) back to their normal position shown in Fig. 1. The stream of soap issuing from the p'lodder being flexible readily permits this mode'of operation.

It sometimes happens that the plunger 15 emerges from the housing 42 just as the feed bar 41 is completing its forward movement. In such a case (which in practice occurs very seldom), the freshly severed bar of soap would drop far enough in front'of the advancing plunger to be caught thereby and pushed against the guard rail 141. To avoid any such eventuality and the jam that might occur if it happened, the plunger 15 is pro vided with the longitudinal slot 33 to permit relative movement between the plunger and the rod 32, and means operative in such a contingency are provided to connect the plunger with the feed bar 41 to move the plunger forward with the latter sufliciently far to prevent the freshly severed bar of soap from falling in front of the advzumiu' plunger. This mode of operation is possible, because, although the plunger 15 reciprocates regularly and the feed bar reciprocates irregularly, the latter travels at a higher rate of speed than the plunger. When the plunger has been retracted within the housing 42 by the rearward movement of the rod 32 and its engagement with the ,llll) till until the plunger has rear side of the slot 33, the rod 32 imi'nedis ately begins its forward movement. The plunger 15, however, remains stationary until the rod 32 contacts. with the forward side of the slot 33. If the feed bar is :ulvanced before the rod 32 reaches the forward side of the slot 33, the plunger will be carriedv forward with the feed bar until the rear side of the slot strikes the rod 82. The freshly severed bar of soap will then fall on the fUl'Wllltl. end of the plungewns shown in Fig. 7.

The connections between the plunger and. the feed bar, which a re operativionly under the conditions described, comprise the rear- Wardly extending lingers .145 having a down turned end 14:6 (Fig. 3) loosely received. within the slots 14:7 in the rear part of the upper surface of the housing 41-2. The downturned ends 1 16 of the fingers 141-!) are arranged to engage with the rexnwvardly extending pins 148, the heads let!) of which are slidably received in the bored holes 151) in the rear side of the plunger. l lach pin is provided with an expansion spring .151 which forces it outwardly into position to be engaged. by the downturned. end of its finger 1.41:5.

It will be understood that it is onlyneces sary for the forward edge of the plunger 15 to project beyond the forward edge of the housing 42 but a short distance in order to iatch and hold up the freshly severed. bar of soap. If, now, it is considered that the plunger has been retracted within the housing 1-2 and the rod 32 has not yet reached the forward side the slot 33 as the feed bar is completing its forward movement, it will. be seen that the freshly severed. bar of soap will drop down past the forward. edge of the housing 412 and in front of the plunger. 1f the relative positions of the feed bar and the rod 32 are such that the rod 32 S'tl'lliiBS the forward. side of the slot 33 as the feed bar is con'ipletii'ig its fm'ward uioveinei'i t, the engagement of the lingers 14h with the pins 14:8 will carry the plunger forward syncln'onously with the relatively fast forward movement of the feed bar, thereby causing the plunger to catch the falling bar of soap on top of its forward end. The plunger will then momentarily remain stationary until the forwardly moving rod 32 again on gages with the forward side of the slot 353 and completes the forward n'ioven'ient of the plunger, the plunger sliding under the bar of soap which is held between the guard rail 14-! and the forward edge of the lmusinr; again been ltlI-lklt'tl'ti within the housing. if the plunger is retracted within the housing -12 and the rod 32 is in engagement with the rear side of the slot 33 as shown in Fig. 3), when the feed bar 411. l'iogins its forward movement, the. spring 15]. will be comprt-ssed, theri-iby per initting the forward movement of the feed her while the plum r remains stationary.

The mode of ope1 ation of the various parts of the improved soap cutting machine has been indicated. in connection with the description of their .-oin-:trurtion. .111 will be conrwiient to llfifitfl'lllt) briefly the mode of Ullllilijiilil of the machine as a whole: AS the soap s-itreau'a ll) issurs from the ploiilder, it passes through the guide 86 and continues until it strites the wheel 99 and moves. the arm 1.91) to the right, oscillating the shaft 192 in a colmter-clocltwise direction. .Dur ing this forward travel of the soap stream until the forward end. 99 thereof reaches and moves the arm 191) the feed bar 41 remains in retracted. normal position, as shown in Fig. 1. The operation of the trip mechanism by the engagement of the end of the soap stream therewith releases the clutch .122 and causes the feed bar to move forward caruving the guide 89 with it, thereby pressing the soap against the knife cutter and severing it. The forward movemci'it of the feed bar with the guide 913 against the knife causes the soap to he delierted from its normal path of travel, as shown in Fig. (3. The soap, however, continues to advance and carries the lcnife and guide with it until the rearward movement of the feed bar disengages the guide 89 and the new forward end. of the soap strean'i from the knife. The rearward. movement of the feed bar serves to restore the guide 815 and the soap stream to their normal position. lVhen the new forward. end. of the soap stream has been disengaged from the rear side of the cutter :111), the weight 7'5 returns the cutter to normal position.

The oscillation of the shaft 102 by the engagement of the forward end of the soap stream with the wheel 99 causes the latch 109 to move the dog 110 and the rod 111 to the right, thereby oscillating the bell. crank 11%]: in a clockwise direction and disengag ing the hook .129 from the part 121. of the clutch mechanism, permitting the latter to make one revolutii'in; The forward edge of the feed bar 11, when the latter at the limit of its forward movement, projects slightly beyond the forward edge of the homing :19 (as indicated in Figs. (3 and 7) so that as the predetern'iined length of soap is severed from the soap stream, it drops in front of the forward edge of the housing 12 and in front of the phimger 15, if the lattor happens to be retracted within the housing, but on top of the plunger if it happens to be on .its fornmrd or rearward lllOVGlIlOl'lt. If the plunger is starting forward just before the feed bar reaches the limit of its forward movement, the lunger will be carried forward Syllclll'tll'lol Sly with the feed bar by the engagement of the fingers 14-5 with the pins 148 and the severed bar of soap will drop onto the upper surface of ten the forward edge of the plunger. As shown-in Fig; 3' the limit of the-forward movement of the plunger 15 is distant from 1 the cutting (levicesby which the soap bars are cut into cakes of the requisite size'and shape aspace equal to the thickness of three soap bars. Consequently when a freshly severed soap bar falls in front of the plunger 15 and is carried forward thereby, it does notreach the cutting devices until the third subsequent forward movement of the plunger c Although the mechanism of the present invention is particularly applicable to soap cutting machines, it will be understood that it is not. to be restricted to this purpose, inasmuch as it is equally applicable to other machines in which articles are irregularly fed to a constantly-and regularly reciprocat ing plunger which delivers the articles to the desired position orperforms some other operation" upon the articles. The mechanism of the invention is shown and described as applied to a soap cutting machine by way of illustration, and its more general adaptability will be readily understood from this'spe'cific use.

Having thus described the invention what I claim'as new is r I A soap cutting machine having in combination with a plodder which delivers soap in a continuous stream, a constantly reciprocating plunger, cutting devices through which the plunger is adapted to force a bar-of soap cut from the soap stream, means for actuating the plunger, a movable knife located beside the path of travel of the soap stream, a feed bar adapted to push the soap stream against the cutterto; cut

from the soap streama bar of predetermined length, said bar acting to deliver the bar of soapin front of the plunger, means focactuati'ng the feed bar, and means arranged to be'engaged and ,moved by the soap stream when a' predetermined length has been delivered fronr the plodder for controlling the operation of the means for actuatingthe" feed bar. e

2; A1 soap cutting machine having in combination with a plodder which delivers soap in a continuous stream, constantly reciprocating plunger, cutting devices through which the plunger is adapted to force a bar of soap cut from the soap stream, means for actuating the plunger, a knife mounted beside the path of travel of the soap stream and arranged to movelwiththe soap stream when engaged thereby, a feed bar for pushing the soap stream against the knife, means for actuating" the feed'bar, and a trip mechan-rsm for controlling the operation of the feed bar actuating means, said trip mechanism having a part located in the path of travel of the soapstream and arranged to be -means for actuating the plunger.

moved therebywhen a predetermined length of soap has been fed past the cutter.

3. A soap cutting machine having in combination with a plodder which delivers soap in a continuous stream, cutting devices, a

predetermined length, means for actuating the feed bar including a clutch and a trip u-zchanism for controlling the clutch, said trip mechanism having a part located in the path of travel of the soap stream and arranged to be moved thereby when a predetermined length of soap has been fed past the cutter to release the clutch to cause the feed bar to push the soap stream against the knife.

4t. A soapcutting machine having in combination with a plodder which delivers soap a continuous stream, a plunger arranged to reciprocate on a plane lower than the plane of the soap stream, cutting devices through which the plunger forces a bar cut from the soap stream, means foractuating the plunger, a knife located beside the path of travel of the soap stream and arranged to move therewith when engaged thereby, a feed bar lOCfiiQCl on the plane of the soup stream for pushing the soap stream against the cutter to cut therefrom a bar of predetermined length, means for actuating the feed bar, and a trip mechanism for controlling the operation of the feed bar actuating means, said trip mechanism having a movable part located in the path of travel of the soap stream and arranged to he actuated thereby when a predetermined length of soap hasbecn fed past the cutter, suid feed bar acting to deliver the bar of soap cut from the soap stream to a position to drop in front of the plunger.

A soap cutting machine having in combination a plodder which delivers soap in a continuous stream, a constantly reciprocating plunger located on a plane below the plane of the soap stream, cutting devices through which the plunger is adapted to force a bar of soap cut from the soap stream, and a mechanism for delivering the bar of soup to a position in front of the plunger comprising a movable knife located beside the path of travel of the soap stream, a feed bar arranged to push the soap stream against the knife, means for actuating the feed bar. the operation of which is controlled by the soap stream, and a trip mechanism actuated by the soap stream when a prodetermiued length of soap has been fed past the cutter Ill?) ill! for controlling the operation of the teed bar actuating means, said feed bar acting to push the bar of soap cut from the soap stream to a position to fall in front of the plunger. i p

G. A. soap cutting machine having in combination with a plodder which delivers soap .in a continuous stream oi? variable speed, a plunger located on a plane below the plane of the soap stream, cutting devices through which the plunger is adapted to torce a bar of soap out from the soap stream, and a mechanism for delivering the bar oil. soup to a position in front of the plui'iger eonmrising a knife, a feed her for forcing the soap stream against the knife, means for actuating the feed bar, and a trip mechanism for controlling the operation of the feed bar actuating means, said trip mechanism hav ing a part located in the path of travel of the soap stream and arranged to be moved thereby when a predetermined length of soap has been fed past the knife, said feed bar acting to push the bar ot soap cut from. the soap stream to a position to fall in front oil the plunger.

7. A machine "tor ci'itl'ing soap having in. combination with a plodder tlior delivering the soap in a continuous stream, cutting devices, a constantly reciprocating plunger lor :lorcing a bar oil. soap cut from the soap stream. through the cutting devices, a knife, means tor causing the knite to sever the soap when. a predeterminezl length of soap has passed by the knife, and means for do llVGllllg the severed. bar of soap to position in :liront oi the plunger.

8. it. soap cutting machine having in com bination with a plodder tor delivering-.1 the soap in a continuous stream, a plunger reciprocating at a regular speed, cutting devices through which the plunger forces a bar cut from the soap stream, means for actuating the plunger, a movable knife located beside the path or travel. of the soap si reain and mounted to move with the soap itream while it is severing a predetermined length from the said stream, means tor pushing the soap stream against the loii'lie and for retracting the soap i-tream from. the ionic, and a trip mechanism rorurolling the operation of the means flier ])ll."-;llil'l,t the soap stream :lorward, the severed bar oil soap be ing in position to drop in :tront 'ot the plunger after the latter has been retracted 9. it soap cutting machine having in cont hination with a plodder ior deliverii'ig the Htdl) in a continuouz-e stream, a plun er reeim-ocaiing at a regular speed, cutl'. do vices through which the plunger forces a bar of soap cut .irom the stream, means tlor actuatingthe pluug'g'er, a reciprocal'iing teed liar, n'ieans tor actuating the teed bar the opruation oil which is controlled by the soap stream, a trip mechanism through which the soap stream controls the operation ot the means for actuating the feed bar, and a knife against which the teed bar forces the soap stream when a predetermined length of soap has passed by the ltuil'e, said teed her acting to push the severed bar at sea p to position from which it will tall in 'l ronl'. oi? the plunger when the latter has been retracted.

10A soap cutting machine having in combination. with a ploddcr :lior i'lelivering the soap in a, continuous stream, a plunger located. on a plane below the soap stream and arranged. to reciprocate at a r rrular speed, nleans tor actuating the plunger, there being lost motion between. the plunger and its actuating means so that the. plunger pauses at the end. 011? its forward n'ioven'ient and at the end of its rearward movement, cutting devices through which the plunger forces a bar of soap cut from the soap stream, a knife located beside the path of travel oi? the soap stream, a reciprocating teed. bar the movements of which are controlled. by the soap stream, means tor actuating the 'leed bar, a trip mechanism having a part in the path elf travel (it the soap stream and arranged to be moved thereby to control the operation oil? the means for actuating the feed bar, and yielding eonuections between the feed bar and the plumz er operative when the feed bar is rout pleting it forward movement and the plunger has just begun or about to begii'i its :l'orward movement tor carrying the plunger forward with the feed bar a short distance ll. it. soap cutting machine having in combimttion with a plodder which delivers the soap in a continuous stream, a plunger reciprocating at a regular speed on a plane below the plane of the soap stream, cutting devices throi'igh which the plunger adapt ed to force a bar of soap cut from the soap stream, and a mechanism tor Feeding to the plunger the bars oi soap comprisii'ig a trip mechanism. for determining when a predetermined .iei'igth ot soap has been delivered 'lrom the plodder, a Feed bar, n'ieans for actuatiiur the feed bar, the operation of which is coi'ltrolled by. the trip mechanism, and a knife cooperating with the :leed bar to sever the predetermined length of soap.

l2. it soap cutting machine having in combination with a plodder which delivers the soap in. a continuousstream, a plunger reciproeating at a regular speed on a plane below the plahe oi. the travel oil the soap stream, cutting devices through which the plunger is adapted to force a bar 0'! soap cut ilirom the soap strean'i, a housing in which th" plunger is retracted at the end of its rearward movement, the soap stream being delivered along the upper i-uril are oil? the l'orward end of the housing, a liui'le, a teed bar lll'l'itl'lfi'til to reciprocate on the housing, means for llll actuating" the feed her, a trip mechanism for the feed bar to cause the later to push the soap stream off the housing and at the same time against the knife, to sever the soap stream.

"13. A soap cutting machine having in combination with a plodder which delivers the soap in a continuous stream, a plunger reciprocating at a re ular speed on a plane below the plane of t soap stream, cutting devices between which the plunger is adapted to force a bar of soap cut from the soap stream, mea for actuating the plunger, there being lost motion between the plunger and its actuating means permitting the plunger to momentarily remain stationary at the end of its forward and rearwzvd movements, a knife mounted beside the path of travel of the soap stream and arranged to move with. the soap stream when engaged thereby, a feed bar located on the plane of the soap stream, means for reciprocating the feed bar, a trip mechanism arranged to determine the length of soap to be cut from the soap stream and functioning to control the operation of the means for reciprocating the feed bar, yieldingly mounted pins projecting rearwardly from the plunger, and fingers secured to the feed bar and adapted to engage the pins on the plunger When the pins are in the path of travel of the fingers on the forward movement of the feed bar.

lhA soap cutting machine having in combination with a plodder which delivers the soap in a continuous stream,- a plunger reciprocating at a regular speed on a plane below the plane of the soap stream, cutting devices through which the plunger is adapt-' ed to force a bar of soap cut from the soap stream, means for actuating the plunger,

' there being lost motion between the plunger and its actuating means permitting the plunger to momentarily remain stationary at the limit of its forward and rearward movements, a feed bar arranged to reciprocate on the plane of the soap stream, means for actuating the feed bar, a knife movable in the direction of travel of the soap stream, a feed bar adapted to force the soap stream against the knife to'sever it, a trip mechanism for determining, the length of soap to be severed, said trip mechanism functioning to controlthe operation of the means for actuating the feed bar, and yielding separable connections between the feed bar and the plunger effective when the feed bar is completing its forward Vmovement' and the plunger has begun or is about to begin its forward movement.

15.- A soap cutting machine having in combination wi h a plodder for delivering the soap as a contiuuoiui stream, aplunger reciprocating at a regular speed on a plane below the plane of the soap stream, cutting devices through which the plunger is adapted to force a bar of soap cut from the soap stream, a knife movable in the direction of the travel, of me soap stream, a feed bar adapted to push the soap stream against the knife and the severed bar to a position to fall in front of the plunger, means for actuating the feel bar, and a trip mechanism for con-piling the actuation of the feed bar coinprisi apart located in the path of travel in the soap stream, a clutch arranged to he released to drive the feed bar aciua ting means, a lever for engaging the clutch, a rod for ope-rating the lever, a dog mounted on the rod, a latch for engaging and moving the dog when the part in the path of travel of the soap stream is moved, means for disengaging the dog from the latch to permit it to return it to normal position, and means for actuating the lever to prevent the clutch from n'iaking more than one revolution at a, time.

16. 1", soap cutting machine having in combination with a plodder which delivers the soup in a continuous stream, a plunger reciprocating ata regular speed on a plane below the plane of the soap stream, cutting devices 'through which the plunger is adapted to force a bar of soap cut from the soap stream, a knife mounted to move in the direction of travel. of the soap stream, a feed bar adapted to push the soap stream against the knife and the severed bar into position to fall in front of the plunger, means connected with the feed bar for returning the soap stream to its normal path of travel, means for actuating the feed bar, and a trip mechanisn'l adapted to be actuated bv the soap stream when a predetermined length of soap has been delivered from the plodder for controlling the operation of the feed bar, 1?. A soap cutting machine having in combination with a plodder which delivers the soap in a continuous stream, a plunger reciprocating on a plane below the plane of the soap stream, cutting devices through which the plunger is adapted to force a bar of soap cut from the soap stream, a knife located beside the path of travel of the soap stream and adapted to move therewith when engaged thereby, a knife bar on which the knife is mounted, a guide mounted to move on the knife bar and through which the soap stream passes, a feed bar adapted to push the guide toward the knife to sever the soap stream, means connected with the feed bar for returning the guide and soap stream to normal position, means for actuating the feed bar, and a trip mechanism actuated by the soap stream for controlling the operation of the means for actuating the feed bar.

18. A machine of the character described having in combination With means for delivering an article in a continuous stream at an irregular speed, a plunger reciprocating at a regular speed and adapted to deliver an article placed in front of it to a predetermined point, means for feeding the article from the continuous'stream to a position in front of the plunger, means for actuating the feeding means, and a trip mechanism 1 means.

WALTER L. JONES. 

